Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Rathcobican

Univallate ringfort (int. diam. c. 45m E-W) situated in a low lying area and defined by an earthen bank mainly reduced to a scarp with external fosse. Present remains consists of a raised circular area defined by an earthen bank that has been much degraded (max int. H c. 0.5m; Wth 1.5m), with enclosing external fosse (Wth 4m; D 0.9m). No evidence of entrance. Roadside field boundary intersects edge of external fosse at north. No evidence of field system (OF011-017002-) as seen on aerial photo (CUCAP APH 76) at ground level. Test excavation was undertaken by Dominic Delany under licence no. 99E0461, from 30 August to 3 September 1999, before application for planning permission for four detached dwellings. The sites are within the area of constraint around a ringfort that consists of a raised circular platform (diameter 44.8m, height 1m), enclosed by a slight bank largely reduced to a scarp, and an external fosse (width 4m, depth 0.9m). The SMR file for this site also notes that a field system (OF011-017002-) possibly associated with the ringfort exists in the area west and south-west of the monument. The ringfort (OF011-017001-) is 25m from the eastern edge of the proposed development site, which measures 70m north-south by 125m. Three test-trenches were mechanically excavated, 125m long and 1.5m wide, extending east-west across the site. The features encountered were three spreads of burnt material, probably levelled fulachta fiadh, and portion of a circular enclosure, possibly a ring-ditch. Several linear and curvilinear features were also encountered, but it was not clearly established whether these were of archaeological significance. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 July 2013